Portable grill



July 26, 1949. L, M sp m ET A 2,477,529

' PORTABLE GRILL 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 51, 1945 I w & INVENTORS.

d 150mm .JPKl/VALE.

Patented July 26, 1949 PORTABLE GRILL Leonard M. Sprinkle, Galveston, and Alva R. Jain,

Greentown, Ind., assignors to Meco, Inc., Galveston, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Application May 21, 1945, Serial No. 596,840

This invention relates to a portable grill.

The chief object of this invention is to provide a grill structure suitable for grilling, broiling, barbecuing and the like and which is readily collapsible into carrying case arrangement and which is readily erected into operative position.

The chief feature of the present invention resides in utilizing a two-part case provided with legs :that readily collapse to hold the case together.

Another chief feature of the invention resides in the air cooled firebox arrangement.

A further chief feature of the invention resides "in the instrumentalities utilized for broiling, grilling and barbecuingand the mounting of the same.

Other objects and features of the invention will be set forth more fully hereinafter.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings and the following description and claim.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the portable grill in grilling position, and looking slightly into the same.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the portable grill in closed position.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the portable grill in barbecuing position and looking slightly into the same.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the device in barbecuing position, the upper portion being omitted, the legs being broken away and dotted lines indicating the collapsed position of the spit supports.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken at right angles to the section taken for Fig. 4 and shows the cover closed.

In Fig. 2 the invention is shown collapsed and includes a main casing or bottom ll! provided at two ends with apertures II. On an intermediate side I2 is mounted a collapsible handle l3, which when folded down upon said side does not project beyond the bottom edge thereof.

Hinged to the opposite side and at the diagonally opposite edge as at M, see Fig. 1, is the cover [5 of shallow tray type. Hinged to the bottom portion it of the main casing [0, as at H, see Figs. 4 and 5, are the legs I8. These each comprise a pair of aligned but spaced ends l9 forming pivots from which project parallel portions 26) of predetermined length. From each of same project transverse leg elements 2|, same being joined together by the U-shaped foot portion 22.

When the lid or tray is closed, see Fig. 2, the

lessen a folded from 2 extended position so that the U-shaped foot structure laps and friction latches the lid in place. The length of leg elements 2i is approximately equal to the depth of the grill when collapsed and the length of portions 20 is that between the pivotal axis l1 an the adjacent side Wall 10. e e I i The cover, see Fig. 3, may be used as a windbreak/or, see Fig. 1, as a Working table. The

cover corners may be reenforced as at 23 and also maybe provided with interior patch pockets 24 for utensil reception.

The firebox consists of a perforated base 25 and sidewalls 25. The latter areof less area than thatof the adjacent casing wall and the former is of less area than that of the casing bottom [6. Feet 2'! space the bottom 25 from bottom [6. Each sidewall 26 has an outwardly directed flange 28 terminating immediately adjacent the adjacent casing sidewall. The result is a firebox that is air insulated, except for heat conduction from feet 21, from the casing. The latter by reason of the leg structure is spaced from the supporting surface. Hence, the grill may be table mounted or positioned on the round without danger of burning the table or leaves, etc., on the ground. Since the preferred fuel is charcoal, coke or coal bricket, there will be no spark hazard. Also, due to the air circulating arrangement, the exterior is always cool and fire can always be easily kindled and even with a newspaper to start.

Pivoted near each corner as at 29 and appreciably below the flange 28 on two opposite side Walls 26 is arm 30 that lies substantially parallel to the wall. Each arm is notched as at 3| and a portion thereof engages the sidewall when erected and the other portion bears on flange 28, see Fi Each arm 30 has therein a superposed series of downwardly directed notches 32. When the arms are erected, see Fig. 1, a grill or grating 33 may be associated therewith, seating in the corresponding notches 32 as shown. Hence, the grillage can be adjusted in elevation relative to the bed of fire in the fire box for various types of grilling and broiling.

The cover tray I5 has pivoted externally as at 34 an angle section leg 35 cut away as at 36 to form a cover sustaining ledge. The cover includes angle shaped tongue 31 struck from the cover sidewall. When the leg 35 is collapsed to the cover, it is seated in the groove formed by the cover and the tongue and as shown in Fig. 2 is retained collapsed by the leg structure l8 overlying same.

7 claim.

Whenever the grill is to be used for barbecuing, etc., two uprights 40 are erected. These are hinged as at 4| to bottom it and for broiling purposes normally lie collapsed against the bottom and below the firebox. When erected, the firebox flanges '28 serve to prevent inward collapse of these uprights.

Each may have" a similar seriesof 'notehessng A polygonal spit 44 reduced;

as well as an end notch 43. has a reduced and pointed end 45 and a circular portion 46. These portions are notch seated. The detachable handle 41 is providedrito rotate the spit.

Slidable there-0n, but rotatable therewith; arevv a pair or severaipairs of hooks ormeatpenetrats ing members 48, each having prongs 49 and a complementary polygonal sleeve 502- When the arms v3!! and uprights 40 are col lapsed, the spit, handle and hooks may be placed in the firebox for retention and the grill closed as shown-in Fig; 2;"

While the-invention: has'beenillustrated and? described in great detail in the drawin'gsbnd foregoingdescription, the same is to be'considj ered as'illustrative'" and? not restrictive in jcha'racter.

The several modifications" described hereinas wellias others which will 'readilysugg'est themselves to-personsskilled in this art, all are consideredto be'within' the broad scope of themvention; reference being had The invention claimedfis'z I Ina grilla-box like base; a fire box detachably.

nested therein and" spaced therefrom, spit supto the appended."

the same.

porting means permanently and interiorly hinged near the bottom of the base at two opposite sides and intermediate the ends thereof and each of a length less than the length of an intermediate side for collapse Within the base and adjacent the bottom thereof when the fire box is ole-nested, the base-.andt-fire box adjacentthe upper endsethe'reof providing a spaceitherebetween,and flange means substantially closing such space, said spit sup- .-porting means when erected being interposed between the flange means and the base supporting LEONARD M. SPRINKLE. ALVA R. JAIN. REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the filezofzithis patent:

UNITED STATES. PATENTS 

